On February 18, 1935 in the small town of Hybart, Alabama, the late Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley and Susie Jane Packer McCants presented to the world their last child, a baby girl who they named Emma Lee. She and her siblings were raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Knowing that she needed a Savior, she confessed her hope in Christ and was baptized at the Pine Flat Baptist Church of Hybart, AL. She was educated in the public schools of Monroe County. After graduating from Monroe County Training School in Beatrice, AL, she relocated to Mobile, AL where she worked in the dry cleaning laundry industry inclusive of Sam Joy Cleaners, Professional Cleaners and York Cleaners from which she retired in 1997. She united with the Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church No. 2 while it held services in the basement of Aimwell Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. J. B. Weaver. While at Mt. Olive she served as the Chairlady of the Social Committee of the Senior Usher Board and attended Sunday School and Baptist Training Union faithfully until her husband was called to pastor. When she returned to full attendance, she became a member of the Missionary Society and the Senior Choir and attended and served faithfully until her health failed. She was well-known for her culinary skills especially her greens (collards and turnips), peas, cornbread, homemade soup, hog head cheese, and deep-fried pecans. After God and family, she had a passion and love of fishing and processing the vegetables that her husband raised.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her siblings Johnny, Ephraim, Roscoe, Paul, O. T., Walter and Woodrow McCants, Elfreda Jenkins, Bessie McCants, Mary York, Azilee Borden and Juanita Bee. She entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She leaves to cherish her precious memories her loving and devoted husband: Rev. Amos Powell of Prichard, AL; six loyal and devoted children - sons: Bertrand and Raymond McCants of Prichard, AL and Rev. Lorenzo McCants of Demopolis, AL - daughters: Theadoria Payton and Caroline McCants of Richmond, CA and Amy McCants of Alabaster, AL; three step-sons: Anthony(Sheri) Powell of Orange Park, FL, Carl and Marcus Quince of Louin, MS; two step-daughters: Vernita(Joe) Lambert of West Haven, CT and Ellen Powell of Bridgeport, CT, ; seven grandchildren, LaShondae(Tanika), Jacqueline and, Bertrand(Jennifer) Horace all of Mobile, AL. TahDerrius Postell of Alabaster, AL, and Chloe Jones of Richmond, CA, Mencherro Postell, Huntsville, AL and LaJune Postell, Montevallo, AL; twelve great-grandchildren, Marlon, TeMarlon and Marlana Ingram, India Little, Bertrand Horace, Jr., LaShondae,Jr., DeShun and Zekariaus Horace, Jovan Postell, Margaret, Christopher and Isabella Summers; two great-great grandchildren, Marley-ray Ingram and Chloe Edwards; twelve step-grandchildren; eleven step-great-grandchildren; one very devoted brother: Samuel McCants of Mobile, AL; a devoted sister-in-law, Hattie Mae McCants of Mobile, AL; one brother-in-law, Willie(Irma Lee) Powell of Chicago, IL; special friends, Pinkie Carter, Minnie Simon, Sandra Horace Parrott and Patricia McDaniel Young; and the Greater Mt. Olive Adult Sunday School Class #2; a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.